What is a timebox?
As the name implies, it is a predefined period of time.
- Normal timebox (max. period) for events and meetings. Only the maximum length is defined here. Shorter periods, e.g. for meetings, are permitted. An early end of a meeting results from the fact that all relevant topics have been dealt with.
- Hard timebox (Iteration, Cycle): With these predefined time periods, the minimum and maximum length are equally fixed. They are used for a constant rhythm.
- Timebox as an assumption of a time period when estimating a Backlog Item. This type of timebox is often used when an effort estimate is not (yet) possible for a work package and work is being carried out towards a solution with a previously defined effort. A decision can then be made to cancel, continue or adjust the work package. The timebox corresponds more to an effort limit, i.e. the number of team members also plays a role here (effort = number of team members * working time). Story points can also be used as a predefinition for the “timebox” in a team with a well-established working speed (velocity).